Illuminated headwear

Abstract

An illuminated cap, visor, beanie, headband, helmet or similar headwear having an illumination system that is switch activated. The illumination system has one or more light sources that interact and/or interface with a light transmitting medium, such as a polymer lens, to generate illumination. The light source may be activated by a switch, such as a momentary pressure switch, a voice activated circuit, or the like. The switch may also be employed to switch the operation of the light source among various modes, such as a continuous light mode, a flashing mode, or an off mode.

1 . Illuminated headwear, comprising: 
 an enclosure for surrounding at least a portion of a person's head;    at least one light source coupled with the enclosure;    at least one light transmitting material positioned proximate to the at least one light source;    wherein the at least one light transmitting material interacts with the at least one light source to increase the visibility of the illumination created by the at least one light source;    a battery source for energizing the at least one light source; and    a switch for selectively activating and deactivating the at least one light source.    
   
   
       2 . The illuminated headwear of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source is contiguous with the at least one light transmitting material.  
   
   
       3 . The illuminated headwear of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one light transmitting material is a translucent polymer lens.  
   
   
       4 . The illuminated headwear of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one light transmitting material is a thermoplastic polymer lens.  
   
   
       5 . The illuminated headwear of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one light transmitting material is a reflective translucent plastic.  
   
   
       6 . The illuminated headwear of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source is embedded in the at least one light transmitting material.  
   
   
       7 . The illuminated headwear of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one light transmitting material is a translucent polymer lens.  
   
   
       8 . The illuminated headwear of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one light transmitting material is a thermoplastic polymer lens.  
   
   
       9 . The illuminated headwear of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one light transmitting material is a reflective translucent plastic.  
   
   
       10 . The illuminated headwear of  claim 1 , further comprising a control circuit having a mode selector; wherein the mode selector facilitates control of the frequencies of light pulses emitted by the at least one light source.  
   
   
       11 . The illumination headwear of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source is a light emitting diode.  
   
   
       12 . The illumination headwear of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source is an infrared emitting diode.  
   
   
       13 . The illumination headwear of  claim 1 , wherein the headwear is a cap.  
   
   
       14 . The illumination headwear of  claim 1 , wherein the headwear is a visor.  
   
   
       15 . The illumination headwear of  claim 1 , wherein the headwear is a beanie.  
   
   
       16 . The illumination headwear of  claim 1 , wherein the headwear is a helmet.  
   
   
       17 . An illumination decal comprising: 
 at least one light source;    a battery source for energizing the at least one light source;    a switch for selectively activating and deactivating the at least one light source;    a sheath that encases the at least~one light source, the battery and the switch;    wherein the sheath comprises a top layer and a bottom layer, the top layer comprising a flexible transparent lens adjacent the at least one light source, and the bottom layer comprising a surface area of a first material;    wherein the flexible transparent lens interacts with the at least one light source to increase the visibility of the illumination created by the at least one light source;    wherein the surface area of the first material is configured to detachably affix to a surface area of a second material; and    wherein the illumination decal is portable among articles comprising a surface area of the second material.    
   
   
       18 . The illumination decal of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second materials are corresponding surfaces of a hook and loop configuration, such that the first material may be detachably affixed to the second material.  
   
   
       19 . The illumination decal of  claim 16 , wherein the illumination decal is adapted to be detachably affixed to a helmet.  
   
   
       20 . The illumination decal of  claim 16  further comprising a control circuit having a mode selector; wherein the mode selector facilitates control of the frequencies of light pulses emitted by the at least one light source.  
   
   
       21 . The illumination decal of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one light source is a light emitting diode.  
   
   
       22 . The illumination decal of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one light source is a infrared emitting diode.  
   
   
       23 . An illumination decal comprising: 
 at least one light source;    a battery source for energizing the at least one light source;    a switch for selectively activating and deactivating the at least one light source;    a flexible transparent lens adjacent the at least one light source;    a sheath that encases the at least one light source, the battery, the switch, and the flexible transparent lens;    wherein the sheath comprises a top layer and a bottom layer, the top layer comprising a material allowing the transmission of light therethrough, and the bottom layer comprising a surface area of a first material;    wherein the flexible transparent lens interacts with the at least one light source to increase the visibility of the illumination created by the at least one light source;    wherein the surface area of the first material is configured to detachably affix to a surface area of a second material; and    wherein the illumination decal is portable among articles comprising a surface area of the second material.    
   
   
       24 . The illumination decal of  claim 23 , wherein the first and second materials are corresponding surfaces of a hook and loop configuration, such that the first material may be detachably affixed to the second material.  
   
   
       25 . The illumination decal of  claim 23 , wherein the illumination decal is adapted to be detachably affixed to a helmet.  
   
   
       26 . The illumination decal of  claim 23  further comprising a control circuit having a mode selector; wherein the mode selector facilitates control of the frequencies of light pulses emitted by the at least one light source.  
   
   
       27 . The illumination decal of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one light source is a light emitting diode.  
   
   
       28 . The illumination decal of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one light source is an infrared emitting diode.